What to expect if you visit my Warminster or Winchester Christmas Stall

Below is a taster of what's on offer and on display at the upcoming Christmas markets for Driftwood and Debris!  The first is a table top sale at Warminster Civic Centre (17th November 10am-12 noon) and the second is in Winchester at Winchester Handmade Christmas Fair 1st and 2nd December (10am-4pm).  I look forward to seeing you there!

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

Today I bought a Christmas tree.  Not for Christmas, you understand, but to display my Christmas handmade wares on.  It is a cheap and cheerful affair but I am hoping it conveys the beauty of my products adequately. 

Another busy and productive Sunday has whizzed by and my little workshop is teeming with goodies.  Stars of varying sizes are drying and more are awaiting adornment with either leftover paper (from books or wrapping) or organic and ethically sourced driftwood and shells.  The wood we collected last week is still drying above radiators and by the fire - soooo much quicker when dried out in the sun and wind!

 As those of you who follow me will know, I have signed myself up for a daunting 2-day stint at Winchester Handmade Christmas Fair on 1st and 2nd December....Yikes!  As a precursor and rehearsal for the 'big event' I have taken on a 2 hour stint on 17th November at the Warminster Civic Centre - it's a fund raising event for a nearby village school with a hint of Christmas about it.  The Fair runs from 10am - 12pm and should prove a good dry run for the Winchester show.  It will require me to get my 'house' in order 2 weeks before the main event and give me enough time (should I need it) to replenish any stock.  I will post more details as soon as I have them and naturally welcome any feedback.  TTFN!

Look Before You Lepe?

Wow!  What a productive weekend us Horgans have had.  We made the most of Saturday's gorgeous October sun and whizzed down to Lepe beach, grabbed a cup of coffee (for the grown ups) and water and snacks (for the littles), and then trundled along the beach looking for driftwood, shells and all manner of other debris that might be useful in my creations.  We managed to secure quite a haul in just over an hour (it normally takes me at least 2 hours on my own).  My team were happy, cheery and uncomplaining and I didn't even have to pay them!

Some of my Team at Lepe Beach

The purpose of this latest visit to the beach is to ensure I have enough 'stock' for the upcoming Winchester Handmade Christmas Fair on 1st and 2nd December.  I am aiming to create a range of desirable driftwood and decoupage goods with prices ranging from £1 up to £40 or £50.  Pricing the goods is the trickiest part of this project since one has to take account of time, fuel, packaging and basic costs such as hooks, ribbons, varnish, glue and so on - not an easy task I can assure you!  I have made some truly gorgeous things and just hope the customers/shoppers think the same.  There are stars, hearts, mirrors - all varying in size and embellishment - all divine and made with love.

Christmas!!!!!

Just ordered last lot of star shapes for my driftwood and decoupage Christmas assault!  Booked a trip to the beach en famille this coming weekend and then busy making gorgeous goodies like an elf possessed.

I am pinning a lot on the Winchester Handmade Fair and hoping the Etsy shop will take off.  I clearly need more than just likes and pins to make a living and would appreciate shares/tweets/recommendations if anyone should feel it appropriate.  My creations are getting better and more polished by the day and I have some delightful vintage decoupage creations to show off soon - until then ttfn!